With Kiwi Experience Hop on hop off bus pass, you can spend as long as you like travelling and can adjust your schedule as you go. When you book the Southern Round Up pass, you just need a minimum of 11 days to travel. We recommend starting in Christchurch, however this is flexible.

Depart Christchurch and arrive in Kaikoura, just in time for some exciting activities. A seaside town famous for its incredible coastal wildlife and awesome water activities. Join a whale watching tour, a swimming with dolphins tour, or take a stroll to the Kaikoura viewpoint. Enjoy an evening on the beach or trying out some of the best seafood New Zealand has to offer. “Kai” means to eat, and “koura” means crayfish, after all.

Travel north and see the last of the dramatic Kaikoura coastline. Keep an eye out for the seal colonies sprawling on the rocks during this breathtaking drive. Then journey through rolling vineyards to Kaiteriteri, right at the edge of Abel Tasman. Explore the stunning national park either by foot, kayak, or water taxi, or see it all from above with a skydive, an epic spot for it (optional extra).

This morning, join a kayaking tour to Split Apple Rock along the golden bays near Kaiteriteri and keep an eye out for native sea critters (optional extra), or go for a stroll in the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, before stopping off at Nelson Lakes. Take in the beautiful surroundings and be sure to get that iconic Wharf jumping shot, before travelling on through snow capped mountains to Westport, a great little surf town on the wild west coast.

Today, journey down the scenic State Highway 6 along the rugged Tasman shoreline, an incredibly beautiful roadtrip winding through diverse landscapes. Stop off along the way to see the wild beaches of Cape Foulwind and the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Stay across from Lake Mahinapua, a gorgeous place to spend the night, where you’ll be just a hop away from the rugged west coast beaches. Enjoy a tranquil evening tonight getting to know your bus mates.

This morning it’s a short drive to Franz Josef, where you can access the Franz Josef Glacier, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Westland Tai Poutini, the Fiordland National Parks, Mount Aspiring, and more. Join a Heli Hike tour to the famous glaciers or simply enjoy a hike, where the views of the surrounding mountains will absolutely astound you.

With so much to explore, enjoy an extra day in Franz Josef . If you didn’t get a chance to join a Heli Hike yet, today is the day for it. Or you can explore by kayak (optional extra) to take in the views of the serene waters and breathtaking scenery of Lake Mapourika, or it’s another brilliant spot for a skydive (optional extra).

Welcome to the adventure capital of New Zealand, and the world! Today you’ll be heading to Queenstown, but not before getting up early to view the perfect mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps on Lake Matheson – truly breathtaking. Then travel to Wanaka for an awe-inspiring stroll around the lake to check out the famous Wanaka. Then it’s on to Queenstown for an epic night out with the crew.

Queenstown is always a travellers favourite. We recommend spending at least 2 nights here, with so much to see and do! Enjoy the beautiful lakes and surrounding walks, or get into one of many adrenaline pumping activities on offer here. Hop on the Shotover Jet for a thrilling ride through the narrow canyons at 85 kph. Bungy, Swing, or Catapult through the iconic Nevis Valley – the highest bungy location in the world – or go for all three with the Nevis Thrillogy!

Travel through the Lindis Pass, known as Lord of Rings territory – stunning landscapes of rolling hills and jagged mountaintops, so be sure to have your camera ready. Stop off to admire gorgeous Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki, before heading to Lake Tekapo with its views of snow capped alps and crystal clear skies. Take in the untouched beauty of this region, relax at the lakeside or soak in the hot springs. Get ready for some epic stargazing, as Lake Tekapo is known as the world’s largest dark sky reserve.

It’s time to say goodbye as you arrive in Christchurch, where you can learn all about the history of this resilient city. With the flexibility of Kiwi Experience bus passes you can choose to carry on your travels in New Zealand, or get excited about your next destination.

Cancellation & Refund Policy: Refunds will be processed according to the following time frames:
Cancellations within 14 Days of the start date incur a $200.00 fee.

All bookings must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance by contacting your tour provider directly using the contact information listed on your tour voucher.

You may either re-schedule directly with the supplier or you can email our support team on [email protected] and include your voucher number, name of product you booked, planned departure date and your contact details. Once you’ve emailed us, you can drop us a line at +61 2 5633 1149.

Yes, we do have open dated/flexible tickets available. Most tour vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase, however please be aware that you may be subject to supplier price fluctuations. All ticket validity is specified on the tour voucher. If you are unsure of the validity of your voucher, just ask one of our wonderful staff.

Some tours have extra costs and you should be aware that there may be added expenses. These expenses will differ for each service provider, but some of the more usual extras are: EMC tax, stinger suit hire, luggage storage, sleeping bag hire, linen hire, national park fee, food, insurance, accommodation, equipment hire, petrol levy, etc. We will alert you to extra costs to the extent reasonably practicable. However, you must also check with each individual service provider when you re-confirm your booking.

We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.

Absolutely, we understand that paying off a big trip in one go isn’t always that easy. We offer flexible payment plans to suit all types of travellers with zero interest or fee’s (minimum $100AUD deposit required).

Most tour vouchers will specify if your trip is BYO however we recommend asking your tour provider if your trip is BYO when you reconfirm your booking 48 hours prior to departure.